Give me a free seat, a dollar hot dog, an "ice cold" slightly
chilled pop, a 205ft field, "A" baseball two or three bats.
Throw in some Moms and Dads willing to give up all there
free time and a lot more. Most of all give me the Kids that
love to PLAY THE GAME. I was on two allstar teams one as
an 11year old one as a 12. Which I always thought was a
feat for a little guy who couldn't hit a lick. I managed and
coached was a V.P and now I umpire. These KIDS play the
game with all there heart, they LOVE THE GAME. If you really
want to watch baseball at it's finest tune into ABC on Sunday
and watch the final game in the little league world series.
If you haven't been watching in my opinion the two best
teams are not there. From coaching the Kids that happens
from time to time. California was the best for the U.S.
You have missed a Kid pitcher who is unhittable 16 strike
outs in each of his last 3 starts, there is only 18 outs in
a little league game. He pitched a PERFECT game first one
since the 1950's. But the South Bronx is out He couldn't pitch
every game. You missed an 11 year old catcher go 7 for 7
and have a chance to break the little league BA. AVG. only
he met up with the buzz saw I first mentioned. You missed
his teammate throw the game of his life only to lose 1-0
to the dynamo from the S. Bronx. You missed Ohno the
Jappanesse SS make a play Jeter, Arod and Nomar would
say "Did you see that" . You missed the center fielder from
Antillies make a catch like Ron Swaboda made in the 69
world series.
You've missed the SMILES and the heartaches, you've
missed the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat,
you missed the GAME being PLAYED. Do you remember
the last time you saw the GAME PLAYED. You were probably
12 yourself it is the "End of the Innocence".
I feel sorry for the Antillies coach tonight winning 1-0 bottom
of sixth(last ups in little league) he let his starting pitcher
continue on. He was done let it all out in the fifth and held the
lead. It's hard to pull a KID thats givin' everything he has.
2-3-and 4 was up for Japan they wouldn't have to get that
far. Leadoff hitter on Japan's Only power hitter up the pitch
and there it goes Japan wins 2-1. The Pitcher fell face first
on the ground crushed in the moment he needed to be helped off. So why an I sad for the coach, The kids had a great run
traveled and had what will turn into one if not the greatest
summers of there life. The coach will relive his decision of
letting him go too long. As a coach you grow to love YOUR
BOYS it's a big FAMILY. All you ever want is to give them
the best chance win, all they want is the chance to PLAY
the GAME.
Baseball season is going to be over today please don't
miss the last game and the REAL BOYS of summer.